Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) – A group of leading western countries have called on the Sudanese government and the rebels in Darfur to return to stop all military operations and negotiate a peaceful solution to the conflict in the area.

A press release issued in Khartoum said the Troika (United States, United Kingdom, Norway) and the resident European Union Embassies in Khartoum were “deeply concerned about reports of renewed fighting in Darfur between government forces and Darfuri armed movements”, led by the Sudan Liberation Movement – Minni Minawi (SLM-MM).

Fighting began on 20 May after a reinforcement from outside Darfur reached the armed opposition elements.

The press statement indicated that the new wave of violence underscored the urgent need for the parties to finalize a negotiated cessation of hostilities and reach an agreement to return to political negotiations leading to a sustainable peace.

It said that the Embassies of the Troika and the EU urged all parties to cooperate fully with the UN-AU Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) as it seeks to carry out its monitoring and protection of civilian’s mandate.

“We encourage UNAMID to take an active role in accessing the areas where fighting has been reported in order to verify and assess the extent of the violence and its impact on civilian populations. All parties to the conflict should ensure safe and unhindered access to humanitarian organizations in order to allow humanitarian aid to be delivered to population in need,” it stressed.

The Europeans pinpointed that there is no military solution to Sudan’s conflicts, which have only resulted in devastation for the civilian populations.

“We call on all parties to show restraint, cease all military actions, return to the unilaterally proclaimed ceasefires and finalize as soon as possible an agreement on a joint cessation of hostilities.

"All parties should respect International Humanitarian Law in particular by ensuring humane treatment of prisoners of war and avoiding any retribution against civilians,” according to the statement.

It called on the Government and Opposition Movements to actively seek a political compromise and encourage the Government of Sudan to continue demonstrating readiness to compromise in negotiations.

It argued that this should allow for a swift return to cessation of hostilities talks, including the safe return of opposition groups outside of Sudan, and entry into a broader and inclusive peace process under the auspices of the AU High-level Implementation Panel’s Roadmap Agreement.
-0- PANA MO/VAO 1June2017